Why We Love Bordeaux Wines
At Bacchus Wines PLDC, we love the wines from the Bordeaux region. Of course, we all know that Bordeaux is famous for its red wine production, and there are several reasons why wines produced there are loved all over the globe.
Bordeaux Wines
Red wine from Bordeaux tends to be rich, medium to full-bodied, with an abundance of red fruit such a plum and blackcurrant, with minerality and tannins for a dryer finish. The tannins are important because they allow the wine to age, so Bordeaux wines are popular with collectors. The good news is that Bordeaux wines can also be affordable and offer high quality.
Bordeaux Grape Varieties
Merlot
The majority of red grape varieties grown in the Bordeaux region is Merlot. The grape is excellent and highly approachable. Its fruity nature and friendly disposition make the grape perfect for blending. Merlot can offer juicy, plummy flavours and a velvety finish with a hint of spice. Merlot is also an excellent variety for inevitable climate change, hence its popularity with winemakers.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The next most popular grape variety grown in Bordeaux vineyards is Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape variety offers full-body, acidity and great staying power. It’s resilient and great for barrel ageing. Cabernet Sauvignon provides nuances of cherries, blackcurrant, chocolate and cedar, making it ideal for blending, especially with Merlot.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is the next red grape variety synonymous with Bordeaux wines. It is also one of the oldest cultivated vines. Often compared to its bigger, bolder brother Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is subtler but holds its own thanks to its resilience to the cold and ability to grow in different soils. Interestingly, it contains pyrazine, a compound found in green peppers and where the green and grassy aroma comes from. As a result, it creates wine than is less tannic and medium-bodied. Even though Cabernet Franc is deemed ‘savoury’ and herby, it contains fruitiness with strawberry nuances.
Other grape varieties grown in the region include Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère.
But don’t be fooled by single-grape varieties! Most wines produced in the region are expertly blended by vintners who know precisely how to achieve award-winning results.
Blending wine is an art form that takes years to perfect and is unique to each winemaker and estate. These clever individuals determine the blend, and the percentages of grape variety can vary year to year depending on the growing conditions.
The beauty of Bordeaux wines is that they are ideal for gastronomy and pair beautifully with a wide range of food. Because Bordeaux wines are packed with flavour, tannins and boldness, they work very well with richer, meaty food with a decent amount of fat. Grilled meat, including beef and game, or any dark meat works beautifully because the acidity content of Bordeaux wines breaks down the fatty richness and increases the sweetness of the fruity nuances in the wine. Cheeses are also ideal for these types of wines, and we love the more decadent varieties, including Manchego, Swiss Cheese, Comté (our favourite) and Cheddar. Roasted vegetables and pulses also work well with Bordeaux wines if cooked in rich sauces.
Our range of wines from the award-winning single-estate Château de Parenchère is some of the best Bordeaux wines we’ve ever tried. Truly! We love their approach to viniculture, tradition and top-quality wines with affordable price tags.
Discover four fantastic Bordeaux red wines:
- The signature Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge
- The prestigious Cuvée Raphaël,
- The cuvée Esprit de Parenchère
- The 2020 vintage L’Équilibriste
